Safety Abroad

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov/travel) — Offers health information and advice for international travelers. Users can search by destination, and learn which vaccines are needed in different parts of the world. It also has information about food and water safety, and how how to seek health care abroad. For those traveling to several remote areas, the 2008 edition of the CDC’s Yellow Book ($24.95) has updated information on malaria, yellow fever, and influenza.

International Society of Travel Medicine (www.istm.org) — Many state and local health departments throughout the US provide travel immunizations. The ISTM has a state-by-state directory of travel clinics, plus a list of clinics abroad.

Trip Prep (www.tripprep.com) – A comprehensive resource with recommended vaccinations, embassy listings, and crime advisories for 204 countries.

US Embassies (www.USEmbassy.state.gov) – Click on “emergencies” for updates on international unrest. American families with relatives directly affected by a crisis abroad can communicate with State’s Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management at (202) 647-5225. If a 24-hour task force or working group has been established, callers will be directed to the Task Force at (202) 647-0900. Note: the State Department suggests registering with them under the following circumstances – a) if you plan to stay in a country for more than a month, b) if you’re going to a place experiencing civil unrest, an unstable political climate or a natural disaster, and c) in a country where there is no US Embassy or consulate.